Just in case you hadn’t gotten enough MMA action this week, UFC 106 comes our way on Saturday night live from Vegas. I am happy to announce that Jose Aldo’s WEC win on Wednesday finally broke a dreadful streak that I was mired in. Was it six consecutive losses? Ten? I lost track. But I am back on the winning track, and I intend to remain here for awhile.
Forrest Griffin -145
Tito Ortiz +125
Yes, THAT Tito Ortiz (16-6-1). He’s back from yet another break spent displaying his business savvy on Celebrity Apprentice, and he’s all set for a rematch of 2006’s fight with Forrest Griffin (16-6-0).
I’m taking Ortiz, and here is my expert analysis why – My cable company calls me shortly before these PPV’s are set to air to see if I want to preorder. Today I got that call, and after shoring up the purchase, I asked the kind fella on the phone for a winner. It was apparent that he had no clue what he was even selling me, but took a peek at the title, and informed me that he liked Ortiz to win. The scary part is that his prediction ended with a question mark. I still trust him.
OK I have more than that to back my wager and it has everything to do with Forrest Griffin. While not overly fantastic at anything, Griffin has always been credited with having tenacious heart. His never-say-die attitude catapulted him all the way to the light heavyweight championship. Then he was manhandled by Rashad Evans. No biggie, it happens, right? Anderson Silva was next, and not many gave Forrest a chance to win. He didn’t. But that wasn’t the unsettling part.
Griffin was embarrassed, finally bowing out on a jab as Silva was falling backwards. Griffin fell to the mat and actually threw his hands up in surrender. Unbelievable. Forrest Griffin gets punched in the face and punches back harder. That’s what he does. What was that nonsense? After the fight was called, he sprinted out of the Octagon before the official announcement. I don’t think a guy known for heart can ever recover from one of the most heartless performances I’ve ever witnessed. I think it’s the beginning of the end for Griffin, unfortunately. His last two victories came against Mauricio Rua and Quinton Jackson. Could you picture Griffin even lasting a round against either of those two today?
As a comedy aside, I’m hoping that Monchichi Ortiz struts to the cage with his wife, scary-faced porn star Jenna Jameson, on his arm WWE style. Is there a more freakish looking celebrity couple currently out there? I think not.
Forrest Griffin -145
Tito Ortiz +125
Yes, THAT Tito Ortiz (16-6-1). He’s back from yet another break spent displaying his business savvy on Celebrity Apprentice, and he’s all set for a rematch of 2006’s fight with Forrest Griffin (16-6-0).
I’m taking Ortiz, and here is my expert analysis why – My cable company calls me shortly before these PPV’s are set to air to see if I want to preorder. Today I got that call, and after shoring up the purchase, I asked the kind fella on the phone for a winner. It was apparent that he had no clue what he was even selling me, but took a peek at the title, and informed me that he liked Ortiz to win. The scary part is that his prediction ended with a question mark. I still trust him.
OK I have more than that to back my wager and it has everything to do with Forrest Griffin. While not overly fantastic at anything, Griffin has always been credited with having tenacious heart. His never-say-die attitude catapulted him all the way to the light heavyweight championship. Then he was manhandled by Rashad Evans. No biggie, it happens, right? Anderson Silva was next, and not many gave Forrest a chance to win. He didn’t. But that wasn’t the unsettling part.
Griffin was embarrassed, finally bowing out on a jab as Silva was falling backwards. Griffin fell to the mat and actually threw his hands up in surrender. Unbelievable. Forrest Griffin gets punched in the face and punches back harder. That’s what he does. What was that nonsense? After the fight was called, he sprinted out of the Octagon before the official announcement. I don’t think a guy known for heart can ever recover from one of the most heartless performances I’ve ever witnessed. I think it’s the beginning of the end for Griffin, unfortunately. His last two victories came against Mauricio Rua and Quinton Jackson. Could you picture Griffin even lasting a round against either of those two today?
As a comedy aside, I’m hoping that Monchichi Ortiz struts to the cage with his wife, scary-faced porn star Jenna Jameson, on his arm WWE style. Is there a more freakish looking celebrity couple currently out there? I think not.
What happened to Jenna Jameson’s face??
Anthony Johnson -125
Josh Koscheck +105
Josh Koscheck +105
I don’t know if Johnson (8-2-0) and Koscheck (15-4-0) have ever slept with the same girl, but they can certainly get together and trade notes on brutal knockouts of Asian punching bag Yoshiyuki Yoshida. That’s just good wholesome fun right there.
Kos has but one chance in this fight, and that’s to get a takedown to neutralize Johnson’s electrifying striking, and win the match on the ground. That’s a big if. Johnson could be the UFC’s number one rising star. He’s won three straight behind dazzling speed and power. He’ll start to face some bigger names now, and it begins with another highlight reel finish of Koscheck.
“Did Yoshida call you in the morning?”Kos has but one chance in this fight, and that’s to get a takedown to neutralize Johnson’s electrifying striking, and win the match on the ground. That’s a big if. Johnson could be the UFC’s number one rising star. He’s won three straight behind dazzling speed and power. He’ll start to face some bigger names now, and it begins with another highlight reel finish of Koscheck.
Amir Sadollah -220
Phil Baroni +180
It seems like Phil Baroni (13-11-0) has been around forever, but then again, he’s basically every obnoxious New Yorker that I’ve ever bumped into. He’s making his return to the UFC after bopping around with various results against a bunch of cans. Most recently, he was pummeled by Joe Riggs in a Strikeforce matchup. I don’t like Baroni against almost anyone, but I like him against Sadollah, and that makes me sad.
I’ve been a fan of Sadollah’s since he first appeared on TUF. He’s coming off of a fight where he was TKO’d in under 30 seconds by a free-swinging Johny Hendricks. Sadollah has stated that the loss was good for him. I don’t think so. He was also beat up by CB Dollaway twice before finding himself in a position to close out with an arm lock. But how many beatings can this kid take? A guy who is going to come out fast and furious with power like Baroni could force a repeat of the Hendricks fight. If Amir can withstand the flurry and escape the first round, his chances go up a thousand-fold. I’m taking a shot on Baroni.
Marcus Davis -225
Ben Saunders +175
I hate fights where I find myself betting against someone that I am a big fan of. I love Ben Saunders (7-1-2). At 6’3” he towers over most opponents, and his gangly legs bring back memories of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s fight scenes in Game of Death. He’s hoping to get back on track after suffering his first loss to Mike Swick. The only problem is that he’s facing Marcus Davis (21-6-0) who is also coming off of a loss, and he is PISSED!
Davis looks like Jason Bourne to me, and I think he will be just as deadly for this fight. He is extremely angry still about his loss to arch-nemesis Dan Hardy. I’m actually worried for Big Ben. I do love him, but I’m not above profiting off of a friend’s pain.
Saunders vs. Davis. KindaPhil Baroni +180
It seems like Phil Baroni (13-11-0) has been around forever, but then again, he’s basically every obnoxious New Yorker that I’ve ever bumped into. He’s making his return to the UFC after bopping around with various results against a bunch of cans. Most recently, he was pummeled by Joe Riggs in a Strikeforce matchup. I don’t like Baroni against almost anyone, but I like him against Sadollah, and that makes me sad.
I’ve been a fan of Sadollah’s since he first appeared on TUF. He’s coming off of a fight where he was TKO’d in under 30 seconds by a free-swinging Johny Hendricks. Sadollah has stated that the loss was good for him. I don’t think so. He was also beat up by CB Dollaway twice before finding himself in a position to close out with an arm lock. But how many beatings can this kid take? A guy who is going to come out fast and furious with power like Baroni could force a repeat of the Hendricks fight. If Amir can withstand the flurry and escape the first round, his chances go up a thousand-fold. I’m taking a shot on Baroni.
Marcus Davis -225
Ben Saunders +175
I hate fights where I find myself betting against someone that I am a big fan of. I love Ben Saunders (7-1-2). At 6’3” he towers over most opponents, and his gangly legs bring back memories of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s fight scenes in Game of Death. He’s hoping to get back on track after suffering his first loss to Mike Swick. The only problem is that he’s facing Marcus Davis (21-6-0) who is also coming off of a loss, and he is PISSED!
Davis looks like Jason Bourne to me, and I think he will be just as deadly for this fight. He is extremely angry still about his loss to arch-nemesis Dan Hardy. I’m actually worried for Big Ben. I do love him, but I’m not above profiting off of a friend’s pain.
In closing, so long to Karo Parisyan, who has screwed over the UFC once again with an inexplicable late scratch on this card. He won’t be welcomed back. Don’t forget to get in the SBR UFC 106 Capping Contest, with prizes sponsored by 5Dimes Sportsbook.
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